The Storm Comes Before The Rainbow

•8•

So you know how when you ride a coaster, you're just steadily going up the hill and then there's the drop? This chapter is the peak height, right before the drop ;) that's all I'm saying ;););)

"Do you even know what you're playing?" Patrick asks sharply.

He never called Pete back after that morning. It's 2 days later and during the sound check, Patrick seems uneasy again. Pete's just playing the same tune he always does.

"No...I've been trying to figure it out for ages." Pete shakes his head. "Do you know it?"

"It sounds familiar." Andy adds.

"I've heard it before." Joe mutters.

"No." Patrick mumbles.

Pete nods slowly and continues to play it. Patrick moves constantly; swaying, bouncing his leg, fidgeting with his fingers.

"You're full of energy." Joe jokes.

Pete finishes.

Patrick smiles, relieved. He plays it off like he's smiling at Joe and turns back to his rhythm guitar. He decided he'd bring it in case they wanted to start music. They did.

"So which one should we start with?" Pete smiles.

"Well I think we need to give Patrick some time to practice it." Andy fiddles with his drumsticks.

"That'd be smart, he only got them today." Joe adds.

Pete nods slowly, agreeing. "Which one should we have him practice now?"

"Dance, Dance looks really cool." Patrick flips through the pages.

"Dance, Dance it is." Joe smiles.

"Can we go finish our movie while he practices?" Andy asks.

He knows what he's doing.

And so does Joe.

Andy has been trying to get the two alone all day.

Not him and Joe.

No.

Pete and Patrick.

"Andy, I think we should stay and help them." Joe says.

"We can let him practice. He's smart. It's just music." Pete shrugs.

"Yeah...lets go finish the movie, Joe." Andy stands.

They were watching Saw II. While they hadn't expected to go back to it until after rehearsals, this played out in Andy's plan perfectly. Patrick wants to rehearse so he won't join and Pete hates horror movies so he won't join either. Perfect bonding time.

"...30 minutes." Joe frowns.

He wants to get Andy alone anyways.

"Whatcha guys watching?" Patrick asks, tuning up his guitar.

"Can I come watch with you? I don't want to disrupt Patrick."

"It's Saw II." Andy says plainly.

Pete holds his breath and bites his bottom lip a little. "Patrick, as you know, I don't do horror movies so I'll chill with you if that's cool."

Patrick shrugs.

"Have fun!" Andy smiles and pulls Joe away from them garage.

Almost instantly when the door closes, Pete turns to Patrick. "What's up with you?"

"Nothing."

"Yeah, you can't lie to me I know you too well."

Patrick doesn't answer.